Teaching Advanced Rhinoplasty in the UK: Dundee Rhinoplasty Course 2026

Written by Mr Tim Biggs | Consultant ENT Surgeon | Rhinology & Facial Plastics

Rhinoplasty is one of the most technically demanding procedures in facial surgery. Achieving consistent, natural, and functional results requires not only experience in the operating theatre, but also ongoing education, refinement of technique, and sharing of expertise.

In 2026, for the second year, I was invited to teach again on the Advanced Rhinoplasty Course at the University of Dundee, one of the UK’s leading surgical training centres.

This course brings together consultants and senior trainees from across the UK and internationally to learn advanced rhinoplasty techniques, with a strong focus on modern, evidence-based approaches.

Why Rhinoplasty Teaching Matters

Rhinoplasty is not a procedure that can be mastered through volume alone. It requires:

• Detailed understanding of nasal anatomy

• Appreciation of airflow and nasal function

• Precision surgical technique

• Long-term structural thinking

• Judgement — knowing when not to do something

Poorly performed rhinoplasty can lead to:

• Breathing problems

• Nasal valve collapse

• Asymmetry

• Over-resection

• Difficult revision surgery

This is why high-quality teaching courses are essential — they help ensure that surgeons are trained in safe, modern, and reproducible techniques.

Teaching Consultants and Senior Trainees

The Dundee course is aimed at:

• Consultant surgeons

• Senior trainees

• Surgeons developing a subspecialist interest in rhinoplasty

Teaching at this level focuses on:

• Advanced techniques

• Decision-making

• Managing complications

• Revision rhinoplasty

• Structural reconstruction

It is about refining practice, not just learning basics.

Piezo Ultrasonic Rhinoplasty – A Key Focus

One of the new areas of teaching on the course is Piezo ultrasonic rhinoplasty.

Piezo technology allows surgeons to reshape nasal bones with:

• High precision

• Minimal trauma to surrounding tissue

• Reduced bruising and swelling

• Improved control in complex cases

Despite its advantages, only a small number of surgeons in the UK routinely use Piezo technology, and there are very few national courses that teach it. Providing hands-on teaching in this area is therefore particularly important.

Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty

Another new focus of the course is dorsal preservation rhinoplasty.

This is a modern technique that:

• Preserves the natural dorsal lines

• Avoids aggressive removal of bone and cartilage

• Maintains structural support

• Produces more natural results

Dorsal preservation is technically demanding and requires a shift away from traditional reduction techniques. Again, very few UK courses teach this, making its inclusion at Dundee particularly valuable.

Moving Away from Over-Aggressive Techniques

Modern rhinoplasty is increasingly focused on:

• Preservation rather than resection

• Structure rather than reduction

• Natural results rather than trend-driven outcomes

• Long-term stability rather than short-term change

Teaching these principles is essential in reducing complications such as:

• Nasal valve collapse

• Pinched or over-rotated noses

• Breathing problems after surgery

• High revision rates

Courses like Dundee play a key role in advancing these standards.

Linking Teaching to Clinical Practice

Teaching is not separate from clinical work — it directly informs it.

My clinical practice as Mr Tim Biggs, Consultant ENT & Rhinology Surgeon, is based on the same principles taught on national courses:

• Structural rhinoplasty

• Functional septorhinoplasty

• Piezo ultrasonic techniques

• Dorsal preservation approaches

• Natural, balanced results

Rhinoplasty procedures are performed at Adnova Clinic, where patients benefit from modern techniques and consultant-led care.

Why This Matters for Patients

Patients may not always be aware of how important surgeon training is, but it has a direct impact on outcomes.

Surgeons who are:

• Actively teaching

• Involved in national courses

• Engaged in modern techniques

• Contributing to training

…are more likely to be:

• Up to date

• Technically refined

• Focused on long-term outcomes

• Able to manage complex cases

Rhinoplasty is not just about performing an operation — it is about understanding when, how, and why to perform it.

The Future of Rhinoplasty in the UK

Courses such as the Dundee Advanced Rhinoplasty Course reflect the direction of travel in modern rhinoplasty:

• More precise

• More structural

• Less aggressive

• More focused on function

• More focused on natural results

As these techniques become more widely taught, outcomes across the UK will continue to improve.

Final Thoughts

Teaching advanced rhinoplasty is an important part of maintaining high standards in nasal surgery.

Being involved in national training courses allows surgeons to:

• Share experience

• Refine techniques

• Stay at the forefront of developments

• Improve patient outcomes

For patients considering rhinoplasty, choosing a surgeon who is actively involved in teaching and advancing the field is an important factor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Advanced Rhinoplasty Teaching & Modern Surgical Techniques

Why does it matter if a rhinoplasty surgeon teaches other surgeons?

Teaching is often a marker of advanced expertise, ongoing education, and peer recognition.

Surgeons involved in national rhinoplasty teaching are typically:

• Actively refining technique

• Up to date with modern surgical developments

• Managing complex and revision cases

• Engaged in evidence-based practice

• Contributing to higher standards in rhinoplasty surgery

For patients, this often translates into more thoughtful planning, modern technique, and safer long-term outcomes.

What is the Advanced Rhinoplasty Course at the University of Dundee?

The Advanced Rhinoplasty Course at the University of Dundee is one of the UK’s leading educational courses in specialist nasal surgery.

It brings together:

• Consultant surgeons

• Senior ENT trainees

• Facial plastic surgeons

• Rhinoplasty specialists from across the UK and internationally

The course focuses on:

• Modern rhinoplasty techniques

• Functional nasal surgery

• Revision rhinoplasty

• Structural reconstruction

• Complication management

• Surgical judgement and decision-making

It is aimed at experienced surgeons looking to refine advanced practice.

What does it mean that Mr Tim Biggs teaches on a national rhinoplasty course?

It means Mr Tim Biggs has been recognised for specialist expertise in advanced nasal surgery and invited to teach colleagues at a high level.

This includes sharing experience in:

• Cosmetic rhinoplasty

• Functional septorhinoplasty

• Revision rhinoplasty

• Structural grafting

• Modern preservation techniques

• Advanced nasal reconstruction

For patients, this reflects a surgeon who is actively contributing to the development of rhinoplasty standards in the UK.

What is Piezo ultrasonic rhinoplasty?

Piezo ultrasonic rhinoplasty uses ultrasonic micro-vibrations to precisely reshape nasal bone while largely preserving surrounding soft tissue.

Benefits include:

• Greater precision

• Reduced bruising

• Less swelling

• Lower tissue trauma

• Better control in crooked noses

• More predictable bone reshaping

This is considered one of the most important advances in modern rhinoplasty.

Is Piezo rhinoplasty widely taught in the UK?

No.

Although Piezo technology is increasingly recognised as valuable, very few UK rhinoplasty courses teach it in detail, particularly with hands-on advanced instruction.

That is why its inclusion at courses such as University of Dundee is particularly significant.

What is dorsal preservation rhinoplasty?

Dorsal preservation rhinoplasty is a modern structural technique that reshapes the nose while preserving the natural bridge (dorsum), rather than aggressively removing bone and cartilage.

Potential benefits include:

• More natural dorsal lines

• Better preservation of structure

• Reduced risk of collapse

• Improved long-term stability

• Softer, more natural results

• Lower chance of an “overdone” appearance

It is technically demanding and requires specialist training.

Is dorsal preservation widely available in the UK?

No.

Dorsal preservation remains a specialist technique performed by a relatively small number of rhinoplasty surgeons in the UK, largely because of:

• Technical complexity

• Learning curve

• Requirement for specialist training

• Need for structural understanding

This makes teaching in this area particularly important.

Why is modern rhinoplasty moving away from aggressive reduction?

Older rhinoplasty techniques often focused on removing tissue aggressively.

This sometimes led to:

• Pinched noses

• Over-rotated tips

• Nasal valve collapse

• Breathing problems

• Structural weakness

• Higher revision rates

Modern rhinoplasty focuses on:✔ preservation✔ support✔ structure✔ airway protection✔ natural results✔ long-term stability

The aim is refinement, not over-resection.

Does teaching rhinoplasty improve patient care?

Yes — significantly.

Teaching requires surgeons to:

• Review evidence critically

• Stay current with advances

• Analyse outcomes carefully

• Explain technique clearly

• Continuously refine practice

Teaching surgeons are often deeply engaged in improving standards, which directly benefits patients.

How does national teaching influence clinical practice at Adnova Clinic?

Patients treated at Adnova Clinic benefit from the same principles taught nationally, including:

• Structural rhinoplasty

• Functional septorhinoplasty

• Piezo ultrasonic techniques

• Dorsal preservation approaches

• Airway-focused planning

• Natural, balanced outcomes

• Conservative, long-term thinking

This means modern educational standards are translated directly into patient care.

Why should patients consider whether a surgeon teaches nationally?

When choosing a rhinoplasty surgeon, national teaching involvement can indicate:

✔ peer recognition✔ specialist expertise✔ modern surgical practice✔ commitment to education✔ advanced revision capability✔ deeper anatomical understanding✔ focus on long-term outcomes

It is not the only factor — but it is a meaningful marker of specialist engagement in the field.

What is the key takeaway for patients considering rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty outcomes depend heavily on:

• Surgical judgement

• Technical refinement

• Structural understanding

• Functional expertise

• Modern technique

• Long-term thinking

Choosing a surgeon who is actively teaching advanced rhinoplasty techniques, involved in national education, and engaged in modern structural practice can be an important advantage when considering surgery.